Archbishop Anthony Fisher of Sydney has praised the government of the Australian state of New South Wales for putting churches on equal terms with pubs and restaurants, and allowing religious services involving up to 50 people beginning June 1.

Catholics in New Zealand are preparing to return to public celebrations of the liturgy on Friday, after Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced on Monday that services could commence that day with up to 100 people in attendance.

New Zealand’s Catholic bishops have written a strongly worded letter to Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, asking her to allow faith services to have at least 100 people present as the country enters its next level of the country’s easing of COVID-19 coronavirus restrictions.